Two taxis have been seized and drivers have had their licences suspended in a crackdown on illegal driving in Peterborough.
BBC News reports that Cambridgeshire police said the action in Millfield had resulted in more than 40 taxis and PHVs being stopped and checked, with several warnings handed out.
The two vehicles seized were found to be uninsured and one was in a dangerous condition.
A driver had also fraudulently created their own licence.
There were other breaches of licences too and several vehicles were reported for having tyres that were too worn.
The stops by police also involved licensing officers from Peterborough City Council and examiners from the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency.
PC Nick Southern, casualty reduction officer, said: "The vast majority of taxi drivers are professionals and help keep the public safe by ensuring their vehicles are safe."
A council has issued a reminder to people to not use unlicensed taxis or flag down private hire vehicles.
The Lancashire Telegraph reports that Ribble Valley Borough Council issued the advice following a joint operation with the police and the DVSA where spot checks were carried out against taxis.
Six vehicles were inspected in Clitheroe on Thursday 16 November, and all were found to be of the standard required, with no prohibition notices being issued.
The council’s taxi enforcement officer, Carl Rung, said: “Maintaining a high standard of vehicles is something we take seriously, and we carry out regular checks to ensure taxis and their drivers are meeting licensing requirements.
“This was a joint operation, where vehicles were subject to a rigorous inspection to ensure they were compliant with licence conditions.
"It is reassuring for the public that, in this instance, all vehicles checked were found to be fully compliant.”
Source: https://www.lancashiretelegraph.co.uk/news/23933141.spot-checks-carried-clitheroe-taxi-drivers/
Police seized £65,000 in 'dirty money' when they stopped a taxi at Abington motorway services on the M74.
According to the Daily Record, officers had the vehicle under surveillance and had watched as packages thought to contain cannabis were dropped off at various addresses.
Duc Bui, 27, was jailed for eight months at Airdrie Sheriff Court after earlier "doing a runner" from the building.
A jury found him guilty of acquiring and possessing criminal property, namely the cash.
The court heard that police tracked the taxi on April 27, 2021. It was followed from Birmingham to Glasgow where it stopped to drop off bags and cardboard boxes thought to contain cannabis.
National Crime Agency officers seized the cash when they stopped the vehicle at Abington as it returned south.
The money was in two Tesco bags. Bui was the only passenger and his fingerprints were on the bags.
Defence advocate Neil Morrison told the jury: "He had been beaten and threatened by these Chinese people. If he didn't follow orders he risked another beating. He was trapped and exploited."
Bui, 27, disappeared during a break near the end of his trial in August. It continued without him and the jury returned a guilty verdict in his absence.
Explaining Bui's absence from the dock, Sheriff Paul Haran told the jurors: "It's a little bit unusual. The accused did not return to court after a brief break. For want of a better description, he did a runner."
Bui was at large for two months before being arrested.
The court heard that he has a previous conviction for producing cannabis.
Source: https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/in-your-area/lanarkshire/police-seize-65000-stopped-taxi-31455238
Ministers have urged councils to act on new government guidance to help improve the accessibility of taxis and private hire vehicles in their area.
The government’s updates to guidance, published today, 17 November 2023, underline thatr councils must take action against drivers who discriminate against people with disabilities and guide dog owners, issuing fines and suspending licences where required.
PHV operators, meanwhile, are encouraged to identify a passenger’s accessibility needs before they take a booking to ensure an appropriate vehicle is provided.
In addition, councils should incentivise the uptake of wheelchair accessible vehicles and ensure they can be used easily and safely by a range of passengers.
Some wheelchair accessible vehicles may not be suitable for other disabled passengers and, when issuing licences, licensing authorities should ensure their area has the right mix of vehicles to suit their community.
Roads Minister, Guy Opperman, said: "Disabled people rely on taxi and private hire vehicles services and it’s unacceptable for people to be unlawfully discriminated against when travelling.
"It’s vital these services cater for disabled people’s needs, and local authorities should take action now to ensure drivers and operators understand their duties so everyone can travel with confidence."
Other recommendations include training and assessing drivers with a focus on taking a defensive approach to driving, such as recognising the impact of speeding, or driving while distracted or fatigued, particularly where there have been passenger complaints.
The guidance also seeks to support the industry by removing undue burdens.
For instance:
• given the reliability and ease of satnav systems, PHV drivers should not be required to undertake navigational skills tests for pre-booked journeys
• licensing fees should be reviewed regularly to ensure they are appropriate.
Alongside the guidance, the Department for Transport (DfT) also intends to launch a further call for evidence specifically about passengers’ accessibility needs in taxis and PHVs to inform future policy decisions.
A Disabled Persons Transport Advisory Committee (DPTAC) spokesperson said: "DPTAC welcomes this new best practice guidance, particularly the much greater emphasis on making taxi and PHV services more accessible to disabled people.
"We hope that this will see licensing authorities addressing the barriers that hinder disabled people using taxis and PHVs, including a rapid reduction in the 38% of authorities that do not make disability awareness training mandatory for drivers.
"We have been pleased to work with DfT in the production of this guidance and will continue to press for more steps to make taxis and PHVs more accessible.
A new investigation will be launched to see whether all Derby city licensed taxis should have mandatory CCTV cameras – with residents and public body organisations set to be consulted.
According to DerbyshireLive, a senior council officer indicated taxi drivers are likely to have to foot an expensive bill for the technology to be fitted in their vehicles should its presence become compulsory.
Derby City Council’s licensing committee held a meeting on Thursday 2 November, in which it agreed for a 12-week public consultation to be carried out on the public safety matter to see if there is a “local need” for CCTV cameras to be installed in taxis and private hire vehicles.
A similar public consultation was carried out in Derby at the start of 2022 but it was decided there was not enough evidence from the data recorded to warrant such local legislation. This was despite Derbyshire police sending details of almost 200 taxi-related incidents across Derbyshire - but councillors did agree to keep monitoring the situation.
Some councils have a mandatory condition for the fitting of CCTV and a new Derby City Council report states “the appetite is increasing nationally where it is felt to be locally appropriate following consultation”.
The consultation which launched on 17 November will run until 9 February 2024, will open to members of the public, partners and stakeholders and can be found here: https://letstalk.derby.gov.uk/cctv-in-hackney-carriage-and-private-hire-vehicles-consultation-2023
The results of the consultation will be presented to the licensing committee and then a decision will be made on whether to have mandatory legislation in place.
Chaddesden councillor John Wright welcomed the consultation. He said: “I’d like to support this, I think it is really important we do have a consultation. The safety of women and girls is now a strategic priority – I know women and girls are not the only vulnerable group in these cases – but are a priority for us locally.”
Normanton councillor Jangir Khan asked: “We did a consultation about a year ago, why is it (we are having another one)?”
Charles Edwards, a senior Derby City Council officer replied: "There was a consultation exercise that was conducted last year. We feel like (this time) the consultation could be extended wider and reach out to a more broader audience.”
Alvaston councillor Alan Lindsay stated concern. He said: “Are the fittings of these cameras going to be solely for Derby licensed taxis? (If so) how we are going to police all the other taxi firms that will be running in the city such as those licensed in Wolverhampton and Sutton-in-Ashfield and the rest of them. You can’t do one and not the rest.”
Sinfin councillor Sarah Chambers was supportive about mandatory CCTV in taxis but stated concern about whose job it would be to monitor CCTV footage once installed.
She asked Mr Edwards who was going to pay for the equipment should the cameras become mandatory in Derby.
Mr Edwards said: “The point about footing the bills, it would be likely that would be the taxi drivers and/or the taxi firms themselves.”
Source: https://www.derbytelegraph.co.uk/news/derby-news/new-investigation-over-compulsory-cctv-8881995
French taxi drivers are calling for government compensation after suffering significant revenue losses during the Paris Olympics.
Coventry city centre has introduced a new taxi marshal service aimed at improving safety and efficiency for late-night revellers.
A court heard harrowing details of the moment a drink-driving uninsured motorist killed three people in a 90mph crash.
The Taxi Charity for Military Veterans was amongst the thousands who enjoyed the Battle Proms at Highclere Castle on 3 August.
Swindon residents could be facing a hike in taxi fares from October after councillors gave the green light to a £1 increase in the standard fare minimum charge.
Ricky Harold, a 20-year veteran of the town’s taxi trade, was parked in a lay-by when his vehicle was struck from behind by a black Audi A2.
Chinese automotive giant Geely has deepened its commitment to the UK electric vehicle market with a £120m cash injection into London Electric Vehicle Company (LEVC).
North Tyneside Council is facing a backlash over plans to increase taxi fares by 6.3%.
Nazim Asmal preyed on his victims after nights out in Preston and Darwen, driving them to secluded spots before carrying out horrific sexual assaults.
Newcastle is set to see a surge in pink taxis driven by women as part of a new initiative aimed at improving passenger safety.
An unlicensed taxi driver who picked up two vulnerable women in Aberdare has been ordered to pay nearly £1,500 in fines and costs.
Cleethorpes taxi drivers are breathing a sigh of relief after council enforcement officers cracked down on vehicles illegally parked in designated taxi ranks.
A Barry man has avoided jail after launching a drunken attack on a taxi driver who refused him entry to his vehicle.
Jersey’s taxi service is in crisis, with driver numbers plummeting by more than a quarter since 2014, a new report has revealed.
On Wednesday 27 July, more than 300 vulnerable youngsters were taken on an all-expenses paid trip to Southport.
Taxi drivers in the town will be able to charge passengers more following a decision by the borough council on 31 July.
A taxi driver has been sentenced to a community order after admitting causing the death of a pedestrian by driving at excessive speed.
A joint operation by council, police, and DVSA officials has seen three taxis taken off the road in Oldham due to safety concerns.
Taxi drivers licensed by Mid Sussex could soon be forced to accept card payments, following a surge in complaints about cash-only services.
Two men have avoided immediate jail time after a high-speed race left a taxi driver with serious injuries.